STUDY OF EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE STUDIES OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF NISHTAR MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effects of social media on study hours of medical students of Nishtar Medical University. It is recommended to do intervention programs of optimal use of social networks with the aim of promoting the quality of studies. Methodology: A sample of 200 students was selected via simple random sampling. A pre tested questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was given. 200 medical students from Nishtar Medical University were included in the study using simple random technique. Each student’s name and roll number was written on the  paper chits, afterwards the paper chits were tousled  and placed in a bowl which was tossed well for  them to mix. Using  simple random  sampling technique, the person closed  his eyes  and randomly picked  the paper chits one after the other from the bowl until 200 students were selected. Students from 1^st year to final year MBBS were included in the study.BDS and other degree program students were excluded from the study.  Data was collected in a period of 6 months  from 8th february, 2021 to 8th August,2021. Data was collected using self developed questionnaire. Data was obtained through personal visits to students participating in the study. The type of data was quantitative and we made use of SPSS software for the analysis of data. Result: Among 200 respondents, 80(33.33%) were males and 160(66.66%) were females. Mean age of respondents was 21 years. Among them, 85(35.42%) were day scholars and 155(64.50) were boarders. 239(99.60%) used social media and 1(0.4%) didn’t.146(62.10%) reported of finding social media interfering with their studies while 34(14.50%) didn’t and 55(23.40%) were not sure. About 55.30% of students spend more than 4 hours on social media, 37.60% spend 2-4 hours, and 7.2% spend less than 2 hours on social media. About 77.60% of the students use social media for entertainment, 8% for academic and 14.30% for other purposes. Before social media, approximately 94.90% of students were satisfied with their studies. 64.60% of students studied for more than 4 hours, 21.1% had 2-4 hours, and 14.3% gave less than 2 hours before social media. In these study hours, about 41.50% of students studied 2 hours, 36.90 students studied 2-4 hours, and 21.60% studied for more than 4 hours. 62.10% of students said that social media interferes with their studies, 14.50% said that social media does not affect their study schedule, and 23.40% of students doubt the interference of social media in their studies. Among 200 students, 182 students find difficulty studying while using social media, and 55 students do not have any problem. Now mostly students about 66.10% have multiple study patterns, 19.10% students have monophasic, and 14.80% have biphasic study patterns. Among them, 45.10% of students are satisfied with their studies after social media, and 54.90% are unsatisfied, 79.30% of students find social media beneficial for their education, and 20.70% of students said that they do not find it beneficial. About 90.30% of students said that YouTube is beneficial for their studies. 84.30% of students said that they would continue using social media and 15.70% said not to use social media in future. In the end, about 65% of students feel that they are addicted to social media, and 35% of students do not feel addicted to it. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that use of social media affects study hours. Therefore, it is recommended to do intervention programs for optimal use of social media with the aim of promoting the quality of medical studies. According to the emerging phenomenon of social media use and the lack of familiarity with all the effects of these networks, the need for future research on other aspects of social media’s impact on student’s lives is highlighted.